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Inside AJC

Here are some options that can ensure your credit is safe and clear An option for optimal security is freezing your credit through each of the three credit bureaus If you haven't already frozen your credit, now would be the time since Equifax recently got hacked Experian IdentityWorks also offers a free 30-day trial membership for identity theft protection and resolution TransUnion offers free identity protection through its TrueIdentity program Those with specific questions about the Equifax breach may c

Atlanta-based Equifax Inc., one of the country’s three main credit reporting agencies, announced last September that it was victim to a major hack that exposed the personal information of 143 million U.S. consumers.

What to know about freezing your credit

(Equifax credit freeze document via Nerdwallet)

What is a credit freeze?

A credit freeze, or security freeze, restricts access to your credit report to prevent criminals from using your personal information to open new accounts in your name or apply and get loans in your name.

Typically, costs range from $3 to $10 per person per bureau to freeze a credit report, but some states have higher fees. Equifax has made the service free in response to the 2017 data breach.

How to freeze your credit

You can freeze your credit online, by phone or by mail via Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. In the process, you’ll receive a unique PIN that only you will have access to in regards to handling your credit report, so be sure to keep the code safe.

If you make the request by mail, Equifax asks that you also send copies of documents to verify your identity, such as a passport, driver’s license or utility bill.

According to NerdWallet, freezing your credit is the best way to protect your credit data and is highly recommended unless you intend to use your credit in the near future. If that’s the case, NerdWallet reported, you may want to consider setting up a fraud alert.